Holding device for a lens of an interchangeable lens assembly

ABSTRACT

A diaphragm linkage device for interchangeable lenses wherein more than three column-shaped guide members with a groove consisting of plastic material with a small friction coefficient are provided around the optical axis of the barrel for the interchangeable lens. A diaphragm linkage ring is adapted in the grooves in such a manner that by means of the guide members the diaphragm linkage ring is carried in the direction of thrust and in the radial direction.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 722,560, filed Sept. 13,1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,064.

The present invention relates to a diaphragm linkage device forinterchangeable lenses.

In situations involving interchangeable lenses where a diaphragm devicemanually or automatically presettable is in functional engagement withan exposure meter particularly in a single reflex camera having TTLlight measuring system, a linkage ring is usually provided. The linkagering is for transmitting the aperture value to the interchangeablelenses. The aperture value may be determined by means of by an exposuremeter or the aperture determination mechanism located at the side of thecamera. Additionally, a linkage ring for driving the diaphragm drivingring from the side of camera may also be provided. In any case, it isusually necessary for these rings to be rotated smoothly and preciselyby means of a slight spring pressure. Consequently in many cases theyare supported on a securing part of the lens barrel by means of ballbearings. Further it is necessary to control the position in thedirection along the optical axis and the range of the rotation in a casewhere ring shaped members such as preset cam ring are rotatablysupported on the lens barrel. Until now the movement in the directionalong the optical axis has been prevented by means of split washers, orscrew rings, with stoppers being provided. However, in this way, thenumber of parts as well as the time needed for assembling is increased,causing an increase of the manufacturing cost.

The purpose of the present invention is to support the above mentionedlinkage ring as well as the preset cam with precision by means of asimple mechanism and to cut down the manufacturing cost of theinterchangeable lens by reducing as much as possible the working processof the lens barrel parts as well as the linkage member.

The present invention will be explained in detail by reference to theaccompanying drawings depicting a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a section of an interchangeable lens in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line III--III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for showing the shape of the bayonet claw.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for showing the shape of the aperture controlring.

FIG. 6 shows a section along the line VI--VI of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a diaphragm blade support device, with FIG. 7(a) being apartial section; FIG. 7(b) being a plan view; and FIG. 7(c) being asection of a variation.

FIG. 8 shows a lens holding device, being FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) eachbeing a partial section; and FIG. 8(c) showing a press ring inperspective view.

In FIG. 1, a lens barrel securing part 1 cooperates with a securing ring2 for mounting the lens barrel around the securing part 1 on the cameraby means of the bayonet system. A fixed cylinder 3 is fixed on thesecuring part 1 by means of a screw 25, and inside of the cylinder 3 arotary helicoid connected with the distance ring 10 is screwed in. Aholding cylinder 5 screwed in the rotary helicoid 4 by means of ahelicoid screw 5a, provides a splined connection in such a manner thatthe holding cylinder 5 is advanced by being guided by means of a key fixon the fix cylinder 3. In the holding cylinder 5, a lens is held bymeans of a lens frame 7, press rings 8, 9 while the diaphragm bladesupporting ring 14 is mounted by means of a screw 15, whereby thediaphragm driving ring 16 is rotatably inserted in the ring. The drivingring 16 is urged by means of a spring 19 in the direction along whichthe diaphragm is closed, while the arm 16b extending backwards isengaged with the arm 21a of the diaphragm closing ring 21 rotatablysupported in the barrel securing part 1 so as to keep the diaphragmtotally opened under the force of a strong spring 20. A bell crank 17linked on the holding cylinder, is rotated under the control of thediaphragm control ring 18 so as to limit the rotation of the diaphragmblade driving ring.

A front frame 12 is connected with the holding cylinder 5 together withthe lens frame 7 by means of a screw 13, presenting accessary mountingparts such as a filter screw and the bayonet. An aperture setting ring24 presenting an aperture scale on the circumference is provided so asto be rotatable around the fixed cylinder 3, whereby tbe abutment 24a isengaged with the diaphragm control ring 18 through the preset linkagering 22 in such a manner that the aperture is preset in accordance withthe rotation of the setting ring 24.

The preset linkage 22 is rotatably supported in the barrel securing part1, being urged along the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 by meansof the spring 23, whereby the engagement arm 22a is engaged with theabutment 24a of the aperture setting ring 24 while the arm 22b extendingbackwards is engageable with the exposure meter link member in thecamera body not shown in the drawing.

In functional engagement with the releasing of the shutter a diaphragmclosing lever (not shown) at the side of the camera rotates the ring 21against the force of the spring 23, acting upon the arm 21b, when thediaphragm driving ring 16 rotates by means of the force of the spring 19until it stops in contact with the bell crank preset by means of thepreset cam 18, when the aperture is decided.

FIG. 2 shows the diaphragm closing ring 21 in the state supported in thelens barrel securing part 1. Three guide pins 31 are provided spacedapproximately equiangularly from each other around the optical axis ofthe barrel centrally securing part 1 each consisting of plasticmaterials with a small friction coefficient and each presenting a ringgroove 31a with a width so as to allow the diaphragm closing ring 21 tobe tightly fitted in the groove.

On the diaphragm closing ring 21 there are provided three concave parts21c for receiving the guide pins, whereby when the concave parts 21c arefitted to the guide pins at the outside of the operating zone of thediaphragm ring 21, pushed down to the position of the grooves 31a andturned to the right and the left, the circumference of the diaphragmclosing ring 21 is kept in the grooves 31a in such a manner that thering 21 can not move along the direction of the optical axis while thering 21 is supported by bearings along the radial direction, thecircumference being kept on the bottom of the grooves.

The number of guide pins and of corresponding concave parts 21c isoptional if more than three. However, they must be so chosen that theoperating angle of the ring 21, namely the angle in which the diaphragmblade driving ring 16 rotates from the position of the totally openeddiaphragm to that of the most closed diaphragm, does not surpass theangle between the guide pins.

The shape of the guide pins need not necessarily be circular as is shownin the drawing and a semi-circular or polygonal shape may be utilized solong as the parts in contact with the preset link ring are of a shapematching the groove so as to hold the ring. It goes without saying thatin this case a smoother rotation can be obtained if the guide pins areconstructed as rollers.

Beside the above mentioned engagement arms 21a, 21b, the ring 21presents a projection or a hole 21d for fixing a spring in such a mannerthat by means of the spring provided between the lens barrel securingpart and the hole 21d the securing part is urged along the direction inwhich the diaphragm blades are opened, being kept at a position at whichthe blades are totally opened by means of the bell crank through thedriving ring 16, while some cameras do not present any means for drivingthe diaphragm closing ring 21. In this case, the diaphragm closing ring21 is clamped by means of the arm 21b of the ring 21 out of theoperation range beyond the smallest diaphragm opening, whereby thediaphragm can manually be opened and closed by rotating the setting ring24 under the influence of the diaphragm spring 19.

In the drawing, 33 is the clamping spring, being mounted on the lensbarrel securing part by means of a small screw 34, whereby when the ring21 is rotated out of the operation range, the clamping spring 33 isengaged with the projection 21e provided on the ring 21 by means of thestepped part 33a of the arm so as to obtain clamping against the forceof the spring 20.

The distance between the guide pins should be determined taking intoconsideration the rotation angle of the ring 21 up to the clampingposition.

FIG. 3 shows the holding method of the preset link ring 22. Guide pins35 each provide a groove 35a similar that of the grooves 31, while thering 22 is provided with the corresponding concave parts 22c, beingprovided rotatably around the optical axis in the same way as in case ofthe ring 21.

A smooth rotation can be obtained when the rings 21 and 22 are made ofpressed metal sheet with the contact surfaces of the guide pins beingpolished, so that they can operate without difficulties even if thereare concave parts or projecting parts. The guide members can be made ofplastic materials as explained above so that in comparison withconventional bearing means the working of the parts, their assembly andthe like can be carried out with greater ease. This contributes toreduction of the manufacturing costs.

The holding operation of the control ring will be best understood byreference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

On the cylindrical part 5c of the holding cylinder 5, on which part thecam ring 18 formed out of plastic materials is adapted, three bayonetclaws 5d are provided almost at an equal distance as is shown in FIG. 4,while around the central hole of the control ring 18 three cavities 18bcorresponding to the above mentioned claws are provided as is shown inFIG. 5.

In order to mount the control ring 18 on the holding cylinder 5, afterthe holding cylinder 5 is combined with rotary helicoid 4 and fixedcylinder 3 to determine its relative position by the combination key 6,and then adapted on the cylindrical part 5c, the cavities 18b are put inalignment with the corresponding claws 5d. At this time, the cam 18c ofthe control ring 18 is out of the pin 17a of the bell crank. Namely thering 18 is mounted on the holding cylinder 5 at the position out of theoperation range. The control ring 18 is rotated out of this positionuntil the cam part 18c enters into the operation range in which the campart 18c is engaged with the pin 17a of the bell crank, when the ring 18is engaged with the bayonet claw 5d.

Then the aperture setting ring 24 is adapted to the fixed cylinder 3after it is positioned in such a manner that the projection 24a can movein the cavity 3a provided at the end of the fixed cylinder. Then, thesecuring ring 2, the preset ring 22, the diaphragm closing ring 21 andthe like are fixed by means of a screw after the lens barrel securingpart 1 is combined with the fixed cylinder at a certain determinedposition. At this time the arm 18a of the control ring 18 is adapted tothe folded, C-shaped arm 22a of the preset ring 22, while the arm 22a isengaged with the projection 24a of the aperture setting ring, beingdrawn by means of the spring 23. FIG. 6 shows the state in which theaperture is preset at the totally opened value, whereby the projection24a of the aperture setting ring 24 is engaged with the one end of thecavity 3b of the fixed cylinder with the flank 24b, so as to be stoppedby means of a click stop (not shown) against the force of the spring 23.

When the aperture setting ring 24 is rotated along the counter clockwisedirection out of this position, the preset ring 22 moves, being drawn bymeans of the spring 23 so as to rotate the control ring 18 along thesame direction, displacing the bell crank 17 by means of the cam part18c in such a manner that the aperture is preset at a valuecorresponding to the scale on the aperture setting ring. When theaperture setting ring 24 has rotated down to the position of thesmallest diaphragm opening, the flank 24c of the projection 24a is incontact with the other end of the cavity 3b whereby the aperture settingring 24 can not rotate any more. In this operation range between thelargest and the smallest diaphragm opening the control ring 18 isengaged with the bayonet claw 5d and therefore the rotation of theaperture setting ring 24 is limited in the operation range as mentionedabove so that in the assembled state of the lens the control ring 18 iskept so as to be rotatable, whereby there is no danger that the ring 18will move out backwardly.

The holding operation of the diaphragm blades will be best understood byreference to FIG. 7(a) and (b) which show respectively, a section and aplan view of the diaphragm blade supporting part, whereby the bladesupporting ring 14 consists of plastic materials, being secured on theholding cylinder 5 by means of a screw 15 as mentioned above, while theblade driving ring 16 is adapted in the ring groove 14d provided insideof the supporting ring 14 so as to be rotatable.

On each diaphragm blade 27, two pins 27a and 27b are fixed whereby thepin 27a is adapted in the hole 14a provided on the support ring 14 whilethe pin 27b is adapted in a long hole 16a provided on the driving ring16 in such a manner that the blade 27 is supported between the holdingcylinder 5 and the driving ring 16 so as to be rotated around the pin 3aby means of the rotation of the ring 16.

A projection 5a is integrally formed on the holding cylinder 5 wherebythe driving ring 16 is clamped between the holding cylinder 5 and theface 14b of the concave part 14d of the supporting ring 14, so as to berestricted in the translation along the direction of the optical axis.

Although it is essential to provide the projection 5a near thecircumference of the driving ring 16 and at the position at which theprojection 5a is not in contact with the back of the blade in all theoperation ranges from the largest to the smallest diaphragm opening, itis sufficient to provide a concave part 27c on each blade as is shown inFIG. 7(b) in such a manner that the movement of the blade is nothindered even when the projections 5a are in the operation area of thediaphragm blade. This is because the driving ring 16 can be made smallwithout fear that the diaphragm device as a whole will become too large.

Furthermore, projections 5b are formed integrally with the holdingcylinder 5, so as to facilitate mounting of the spring 19.

Although in the present embodiment the projections 5a are formedintegrally on the holding cylinder 5, instead of the projections 5a theprojections 16c can also be provided on the driving ring 16 as is shownin FIG. 7(c).

Although it is preferred from a manufacturing view point to provide thepress plate 28 in a manner similar to the conventional blade holdingdevice whereby the press plate 28 can be made of a pressed metal sheet,the manufacturing procedures can be simplified when the spring hanger28c is formed integrally from plastic materials.

In the lens holding device shown in FIGS. 1 and 8,

A front lens group A is fixed in the lens frame 7 mounted in the lensholding cylinder 5 by means of small screws 13.

The holding cylinder 5, the lens frame 7 and the front frame 12 areformed out of plastic materials. In order to avoid deformation of thehelicoid screw due to the securing by the screw 13, the threeprojections 12b are provided on the back of the mounting part 12a of thefront frame 12 so as to be in contact with the flange 7a of the framebetween the screws 13 in such a manner that when the screws 13 aresecured, the frame 7 is pressed elastically against the holding cylinder5.

The rear lens group B₁, B₂ consists of cemented lenses, being adapted inthe rear part of the holding cylinder, whereby the circumference of thefront part is in contact with the adapting part 5e while between therear part and the lens B₃ a spacer 8 is provided, the rear surface ofthe lens B₃ being retaining by the press ring 9.

The retaining ring 9 consists of thin flexible plastic material as isshown in FIG. 8, consisting of the principal part 9a to be adapted onthe circumference 5d of the holding cylinder, the press part 9b to be incontact with the lens B₃ and three claws 9c to be adapted in the groove5g on the circumference of the holding cylinder so as to be engaged withthe stepped part 5f. The principal part 9a is divided in three parts bymeans of the three notches 9d while between the lens press part 9b andeach claw a hole 9e is provided in such a manner that the principal partis deformable with an adequate elasticity.

When the retaining ring 9 is adapted on the circumference of the holdingcylinder, and is pushed on after the lenses B₁, B₂, B₃ and the spacer 8are put into the holding cylinder 5, the principal part is enlarged dueto the notches 9d and adapted in the state shown in FIG. 8(a), wherebythe press part stops at the position at which the part is in contactwith the rear surface of the lens B₃. The distance between the presspart 9b and the claw 9c is chosen smaller than that between the surfaceof the lens B₃ and the stepped part 5f so that in the above mentionedstate the claws are not engaged with the stepped part 5f. When then theclaws 9c are pushed along the direction of the arrow by means of aproper tool inserted through the holes 9e, the claws become loose andengage in the groove 5g while the claws 9c engage with the stepped part5f, clamping the lens B₃ with the press part 9b so as to press the lenswith an adequate elasticity so that the lens is held with surenesswithout deformation or the like.

Quite different from the conventional lens press ring it is notnecessary to give any rotation to the above mentioned lens press ringwhereby by simply translating the ring along the direction of theoptical axis the lens press ring can be mounted in such a manner thatthe lens can be held with an adequate elasticity without adjusting thesecuring torque of the press ring. Thus, the present invention can beadvantageous not only for the automatic assembling but also for manualassembling.

Further from the view point of the manufacture of parts the press ringcan be formed out of plastic material while simple grooves are providedon the lens barrel, which is a very simple process in comparison withthe process for threading a press ring and a lens barrel. Thus, thepresent invention contributes much to the simplification of theassembling process as well as to reduction of manufacturing costs.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens holding device comprising, in combination:a lens element defining an optical axis and having a cylindrical outercircumferential plane; a holding member to hold said lens element, saidholding member including a cylindrical part fitted with the outercircumference of said lens element, a receiving portion on a radiallyinner side of said cylindrical part to receive one surface of said lenselement and one stepped portion on a radially outer side of saidcylindrical part and axially located toward one side thereof; a flexibleretaining ring fitted on said holding member to retain said lens elementat said holding member, said retaining ring including a pressing partwhich is provided at one end of said retaining ring and which contactssaid lens element on a side thereof facing away from said side wheresaid stepped portion is located, and an engagement part engaging againstthe stepped portion of said holding member; said lens element beingpressed toward the receiving portion by the elasticity of said retainingring when said engagement part engages with the stepped portion of saidholding member with said lens element being thus so retained within theholding member as to prevent shifting thereof in the direction of theoptical axis.
 2. A lens holding device according to claim 1 wherein saidflexible retaining ring is in a cylindrical form with a plurality ofholes provided on a cylindrical portion between said pressing part andsaid engaging part, said retaining ring being elastically deformed inthe longitudinal direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens tofix the lens element to the holding member.
 3. A lens holding deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said flexible retaining ring is in acylindrical form, and wherein said engagement part is divided by aplurality of notches and is elastically deformable in the diametricaldirection.
 4. A lens holding device according to claim 1 wherein saidflexible retaining ring is made of plastics.